FORTY-ONE “extremely vulnerable Romanians” are being looked after following dawn raids targeting a suspected modern day slavery ring in Liverpool.

Three people were arrested as a result of warrants being executed across the city including a husband and wife, aged 28 and 32, and a 34-year-old man, as part of an eight-month probe into illegal gangmaster activity.

They have been quizzed on suspicion of modern slavery offences, including forced labour and trafficking, in connection with police’s and Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority’s (GLAA) joint investigation.

At one house a cannabis farm was discovered while large amounts of cash were also recovered.

The GLAA and police swooped on the known addresses last week after receiving intelligence that migrant workers from Romania were being trafficked into the UK and forced to work.

“Those who believe they can exploit people, use them as commodities and profit from their misery, need to understand that they are a priority target for us and our enforcement colleagues.”

Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Rhodes, from Merseyside Police , said: “We have been working closely together and this matter has been under investigation since last July; the partnership working has been crucial in order to execute these warrants.

“Offenders involved in human trafficking prey on extremely vulnerable people, often people who have come into the UK, do not know the language and are desperate to provide for themselves and their families.

“The offenders callously exploit that desperation for their own ends, and we are determined to put a stop to that.

“We want local people to be the eyes and ears of their communities.

British Red Cross officials said the charity was “on hand to provide practical and emotional support to anyone evacuated as a result of this operation, in a place of safety.”

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Clothing, refreshments and first aid were offered to the Romanians who had fallen victim to the gangmaster activities.

Merseyside’s Deputy Police Commissioner, Cllr Emily Spurrell, said: “Slavery was abolished more than 180 years ago in this country.

“Yet there are still organised, criminal gangs who are exploiting people in the most inhumane ways, and it is taking place in our communities.

“This well-planned and successful operation demonstrates this will not be tolerated in Merseyside and, if information is received to suggest people are being abused in this way, action will be taken. My thanks to everyone involved in this operation.”